Stay involved in your child’s education

February 4, 2010

LAHAINA — Aloha, parents! By now you should have received your child’s second quarter report card. Report cards were sent home on Thursday, Jan. 14.

Per the Middle Level Promotion Policy, your child must pass all four core courses — English, Math, Social Studies and Science — to be promoted to the next grade level. By the end of eighth grade, your child needs to have accumulated 12 credits in core courses and three credits in electives, totaling 15 credits.

Our calendar is full with scheduled meetings all the way through February. If you are concerned about your child’s progress,or lack of progress, please call your child’s grade level counselor. The school’s number is 662-3965. Your involvement in your child’s education is crucial.

Last month, I announced that nominations would be open for next school year’s Honors Program. This is a reminder that the nomination period is from Feb. 16-22. Nomination forms may be picked up at the main office. All completed nomination forms may be turned in to the office or to Todd Hayase, one of our school counselors. Students may nominate themselves. Parents, teachers, staff and community members may nominate a student they would like to be considered. All nominations are welcome.

As we compare our quarterly assessments from last year to this school year, results have improved significantly. Teachers across all content areas take ownership in teaching our students reading, writing and math skills.

Teachers meet in Benchmark “PLCs” (Professional Learning Communities), where they learn how to “unwrap” standards in reading and math. Together in their PLCs, our teachers plan lessons in their content areas to reinforce reading, writing and math skills, so students become aware of the relevance of those skills in other areas.

These skills are not to be isolated in the English Language Arts and math classes only. More practice in these skills help to solidify student achievement across all content areas. Thank you, teachers, for your ongoing dedication to your students. IMUA!